Help - A cheap RAID 5 box: Network Attached Storage

[sandys]

Hi guys,
To secure my ever expanding collection of movies, I'm planning on building a RAID 5 box for network storage. My aim is to be cheaper than
Buffalo Terastation 1TB [http://tinyurl.com/2smoo2] viz about 680 $ (27 - 29 K)

Here are the basic things I have in mind:
1. 256 - 512 mb ram (terastation has 128 - 256 mb)
2. 1ghz cheapass processor - I want one which consumes less power (but not too expensive) - terastation has upped their processor to 500 mhz
3. Hardware RAID - important. this is much better and less of a hassle than software raid.
4. motherboard, network card, etc. - cheap
5. cpu case, power system and fans - should be able to take and support 4 hdds
6. When money is left over, I'll decide which HDD to get - 4 X 100 gb or 4 X 250 gb


I need help on what components to buy - Im especially confused on the case (should take 4 hdd), hardware raid card (cheap), power+cooling


Just one other note - Im in Delhi, so probably will depend on Nehru Place prices.

thanks guys!

[slugger]

u mite wan2 look @ this month's DIGIT they've dun an article on building a NAS outta old/inexpensive components

[sandys]

Hmm.. interesting. Thanks for that info

However, I was hoping for pointers from people who have built something similar. Does anyone have any experience in building one - especially in Delhi.

[Rollercoaster]

I think u would have a better result(as i had) if u go with some old rig(1Ghz/128mb and above) and add a pci raid card. That way u would be able to pour all ur money on storage.

This would be more sensible as u only will be doing network storage so no processing power is needed. the older rig would have very low power consumption. overall u would get a very nice price per GB value and low running cost. The box u mentioned is based on multi-user performance and market competition, not money value.

note- If u have a possibility of adding some website serving software later on u can just upgrade the cpu to 2ghz or something.